Island Hospice

Following a successful fund-raising campaign last year to provide solar power for the worst affected centres in Zimbabwe, Island Hospice and Bereavement Service UK (IHBS UK) recently launched a second Appeal to provide solar power solutions for Island Hospice & Healthcare’s other centres across Zimbabwe, as well as its main office in Harare.

The country is currently affected by nationwide power cuts and a chronic shortage of fuel, but an investment in solar panels would provide inexpensive and clean energy, freeing up vital resources.

1 in 60 Zimbabweans need hospice care, yet only a fraction can access it, which leads to unnecessary suffering. The Harare office and the three Island Hospice branches in Mutare, Marondera and Bulawayo look after thousands each year, including those supported during Cyclone Idai which devastated communities in 2019.

Without electricity for computers, telephones, security and internet access, they cannot function effectively.

The nationwide power cuts can last up to 18 hours a day, and the use of generators is expensive and compounded by a chronic shortage of fuel. This, in turn, reduces available funding for medications, home care visits, staff and security.

The installation of solar panels will address this by providing inexpensive and clean energy, powering vital facilities and freeing up resources to provide more desperately needed care for people with life-limiting illnesses such as cancer & HIV.

It’s an investment that will support thousands of people who need hospice care in Zimbabwe, as well as enabling essential activities such as online healthcare training.

To date, the Appeal has received funds from the Greenhall Foundation which has enabled IHBS UK to provide Solar panels for the Mutare Office and with other donations, solar panels have also been provided for the Marondera centre.

However, further investment is needed, and the Appeal is hoping to raise a further £20,000 to provide solar panels for the two bigger centres in Harare and Bulawayo.